Kolitschite is a rare lead-zinc tellurate mineral typically found as a secondary phase in the oxidation zones of ore deposits. It is most frequently encountered as soft, yellow earthy crusts or powdery coatings associated with other tellurium-bearing species. It is a highly sought-after rarity for systematic mineral collectors due to the scarcity of tellurate minerals.
Is this kolitschite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch kolitschite with a known reference. Kolitschite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: powdery aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Kolitschite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Kolitschite leaves light yellow, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads adamantine on Kolitschite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Kolitschite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Kolitschite leaves light yellow, Quetzalcoatlite leaves pale blue, almost white; luster reads adamantine on Kolitschite and pearly to dull on Quetzalcoatlite.
Often found alongside kolitschite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kolitschite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb[Zn₀.₅,☐₀.₅]Fe₃(AsO₄)₂(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.648 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Powdery aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- From supergene alteration of primary Pb-Zn ore
Where rockhounds find kolitschite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kintore opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: From supergene alteration of primary Pb-Zn ore. If you start seeing mimetite, segnitite, carminite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: powdery aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kolitschite on the map
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